Habanero Mexican Cafe
501 W Oltorf St
Austin,
TX
78704
-
5447
Map
Phone: (512) 416-0443
| Cuisine: | Mexican |
| Tex-Mex |
Price: $ = $15 and less
Email to a Friend
This small Mexican spot owned by Evelyn and Arthur Ibarra uses marinades and a mesquite grill to produce delicious beef and chicken. As a result, the chicken in the quesadillas and enchiladas is among the most flavorful in town. Forks up. Cheap.
-- Dale Rice, AA-S
Habanero's caters and delivers orders that are $30 or more in a 10-15 mile radius
Hours
Sunday and Monday 7am-3pm Tuesday-Thursday 7am-5pm Friday and Saturday 7am-9pm
Meals Served
Lunch
Dinner
Takeout available
Dress Code
Casual
Amenities
- Credit cards
Excellence begins with the enchiladas
By Dale Rice
American-Statesman Restaurant Critic
Sept. 30, 2004
It was perfection, as good as any plate of green enchiladas gets.
The enchiladas verdes ($5.95) were stuffed with chunks of tender, seasoned chicken -- marinated overnight and grilled over a mesquite fire -- that were among the best I've ever found tuc....
More
Excellence begins with the enchiladas
By Dale Rice
American-Statesman Restaurant Critic
Sept. 30, 2004
It was perfection, as good as any plate of green enchiladas gets.
The enchiladas verdes ($5.95) were stuffed with chunks of tender, seasoned chicken -- marinated overnight and grilled over a mesquite fire -- that were among the best I've ever found tucked inside a rolled tortilla. The enchiladas were topped with melted white cheese and a tangy tomatillo sauce that added even more depth of flavor to the dish.
To one side, tasty refried beans had a firm consistency (rather than the soupy ones served in so many restaurants that defy the adjective "refried"), while beautifully cooked Mexican rice rested on the other side, with all the grains distinct and dry (rather than wet and clumpy, as has become commonplace).
That delicious enchilada plate was delivered last week at Habanero Mexican Cafe, a small breakfast-and-lunch spot owned by Evelyn and Arthur Ibarra on West Oltorf Street between Congress Avenue and South First Street.
Keeping pace with the enchiladas, no dish at Habanero was a letdown.
The same chicken that was in the enchiladas also produced a thick quesadilla ($5.95) with melted cheese and sides of sour cream and guacamole.
The beef fajitas ($6.95) featured long, thick slices of tender, marinated meat that had been grilled over mesquite and served on a bed of white onions and bell peppers on a sizzling skillet. They were accompanied by charro beans with a flavorful broth and a distinct guacamole, which was made with big chunks of tomato, onion and bell pepper.
The wedge of homemade flan ($2.50) offered virtually no sweetness at all in the dense custard, picking up the sugary tones in the accompanying caramel sauce produced during cooking and the dollop of whipped cream on top.
In addition to that good food, there's some good news out of Habanero: The restaurant plans to add dinner on Fridays and Saturdays in the near future.
Perfect green enchiladas won't be just for lunch any more.
You may contact Dale Rice at drice@statesman.com or 445-3859.
Brief
| Overall User Rating: |
|
|
| Food/Drink: |
|
|
| Ambience: |
|
|
| Service: |
|
| Worst Ever!!! |  |
Posted by JSpratt on 05/27/09
We must have caught this place on a bad day. I've eaten here before, but this time it was the worst Mexican restaurant experience I've ever had. The chicken in my enchilada was dry and tough, one of my companions had a burrito with a rubbery tortilla that had obviously been microwaved too long, and my wife was given a can of Diet Coke with some kind of black sludge around the rim. The red so-called sauce appeared to be nothing more than ketchup with some cheese in it. The noise was overwhelming and the waitress never did bring us the chips we ordered. We've crossed this place off our list.
| FANTASTIC FOOD |  |
Posted by Lawintx on 03/17/09
I ate here during SXSW last year at the urging of a local band, I'm back and went back thinking that it can't be still as good..WAS I WRONG, they had a long line of people waiting but kept the line moving and we didn't mind the wait chatting it up w/locals. The ice cold Corona and spicy fajitas were out of this world, we don't have food like this in California, what I thought was REAL mexican food in Cali, I just found out is NOT...I'm moving here to austin for this little place alone. It's a cute house, which I was told they just bought the place next door and will expand in a year,they need to, place is crazy busy. I love it, don't change a thing.
| Excellent Mexican | |
Posted by allstar54 on 12/29/08
Another South Austin gem, Food was easily a 10, Fajitas were excelent, green chile enchiladas with white cheese were to die for, some of the best refried beans I have ever eaten. Lunch for two with a good tip= $20.00. Too bad, no liquor license. Servers were overwhelmed, maybe understaffed the day we went. A small mexican restaurant with outstanding food that I highly recommend.
